‘That’s it, is it?’ said he, looking comically from me to Althea, and then at me again.  ’Now tell me, sweet lady, if you know any good reason why mirth should be a thing forbid to those who have had a cruel loss?  If in the middle of a winter voyage, when the stormy winds do blow, we mariners should have one fair sunshine day, we don’t spend it in bemoaning the black days that went before and the black days that will come after.’

‘And what has that to do with me and my griefs?’ asked I.

‘Only this,’ said he, ’that you should not be less wise than a sailor lad; think no shame to be glad when your heart bids you, whatever sorrows lie before or behind you.  And I’ll keep you in countenance, whenever I see your fair mournful sister reproving your gaiety with her eyes; but you must do the same by me with my father and your aunt.  Is it a bargain? strike hands on it!’

He held out his hand, and I put mine into it—­I could not help it; though I stole a look at Althea, but her attention was drawn away by Andrew, who was half timidly urging her to eat some more of Mrs. Golding’s dainties; she would not, however; and presently Mr. Truelocke, who had been talking apart with Mrs. Golding, got up and would be going; so when he and Harry were withdrawn, we all went shortly to our beds, being very weary; and for my part I felt that I was in a new world I could not half understand; but there seemed some pleasant things in it.

I liked it better still as the days ran on.  Country life at West Fazeby was more to my mind than ever it had been at Milthorpe.  There we were waited on dutifully by kind old servants, and might not soil our fingers by any coarse work.  Here I was taken into the dairy and the still-room, and instructed in their mysteries, and in many another useful household art; I might feed the pigeons and the other pretty feathered folk in the barnyard, and I got no reproof for my coarse tastes when I was found learning from Grace Standfast how to milk a cow, and making acquaintance with young foals and calves.  There were prettier works too; gathering and making conserve of roses, and sharing in the pleasant harvest of the strawberry beds and the cherry orchard, or tossing of hay in the meadows.  I will not deny that all these things were more pleasant to me that year than they have ever been since; partly because I was so new to them, and partly because Harry Truelocke often took part in them also.  My merry and kind playfellow, I wonder if you have yet any heart for such simple pleasures? or if, in the midst of miseries and perils, you can still jest and laugh?

Althea went with me and shared in these occupations, except in the haymaking and the milking; but she did so with a grave and serious air, seeming to give her whole mind to the work, as if it were a task she had to learn, whereas I thought it but a delightful pastime that I loved in spite of its being profitable.